80GHz Radar Level Transmitter: Insights from Isolation Valve Installation Testing

Recently, the Jiwei team finally had the opportunity to conduct an experiment that had long been overdue: testing the performance of the 80GHz radar level transmitter under installation conditions with ball and gate valves. A few engineers from Jiwei’s on-site service team conducted an in-depth evaluation of this technology in the company’s laboratory over several days.

Field Feedback That Led to Experimental Validation

The inspiration for this test came from continuous feedback from users in the field. For example, a large chemical plant in East China successfully applied Jiwei’s 80GHz radar level transmitter on its butane sphere tank. The tank has a diameter of 17 meters and is connected to the process inlet via a 2-inch ball valve at the top. Previous level transmitters had encountered issues such as echo interference and measurement inaccuracies in this scenario.

Thanks to its ultra-narrow beam angle (as low as 3°) and advanced signal processing algorithms, Jiwei’s 80GHz radar level transmitter consistently delivers stable and reliable echo detection—even when installed behind standard ball valves, a configuration that has traditionally posed challenges for many radar devices. In real-world applications, such as a large butane storage tank at a chemical plant in East China, the transmitter accurately measured liquid levels through a 2-inch ball valve without being affected by internal reflections.

These field successes, combined with continued positive feedback, prompted our team to replicate similar working conditions in the laboratory to validate the radar’s performance under controlled scenarios. The tests confirmed that Jiwei’s 80GHz radar operates with consistent accuracy and clarity across different valve sizes and liquid levels.

Moreover, the radar is equipped with a user-friendly Bluetooth mini-program—“Jiwei Smart Control”—which allows engineers to configure, calibrate, and monitor the device wirelessly via smartphones or tablets. This integration of advanced hardware with convenient software not only enhances the user experience but also significantly reduces setup time and effort, especially in hazardous or hard-to-access areas. As industrial users increasingly prioritize both performance and ease of use, Jiwei’s 80GHz radar solution stands out as a reliable, smart choice for modern liquid level measurement—whether in the lab or in the field.

Real-world Testing with Multiple Valve Specifications, Clear and Consistent Signals

To simulate actual operating conditions as closely as possible, we tested with four commonly used types of ball and gate valves. During the test, we filled and emptied the tank, taking readings in the full, half-full, and empty tank states. The control group consisted of the same process connection without any isolation valve. All test samples were equipped with stainless steel process interfaces.

The results showed that without the need for special adjustments, Jiwei’s 80GHz radar level transmitter achieved clear measurement signals in all configurations of ball and gate valves. This not only confirmed the accuracy of field feedback but also provided a reliable reference for similar applications in the industry.

Providing More Effective Level Measurement Solutions for Isolation Valve Scenarios

In widespread industrial applications, most liquid storage and reaction tanks can achieve reliable measurement when paired with 80GHz radar level transmitters and ball or gate valves. The 80GHz radar, with its narrow beam and large dynamic range, can accurately detect liquid surface signals even in complex reflection environments, and it can stably measure liquids with low dielectric constants (low DK). Compared to traditional 26GHz radar, which is easily affected by multi-faceted reflections from valve bodies, Jiwei’s 80GHz radar significantly reduces noise interference and simplifies the calibration process.

This opens up new solutions for key application scenarios, such as hazardous chemical storage tanks and reaction tanks. Users no longer need to custom-order special valves or worry about the radar installation angle—standard ball or gate valves, combined with Jiwei’s 80GHz radar level transmitter, can reliably monitor liquid levels.

Conclusion

The stable performance of the 80GHz radar level transmitter under isolation valve conditions provides a highly practical technical solution for level measurement in hazardous areas or critical process segments. Jiwei will continue to advance the integration of technical experimentation and on-site applications, empowering users to achieve reliable measurements in more complex environments.

For more technical details or to access actual case materials, please visit our official website: www.jiweimeter.com.